rabble.ca - CitizenShift

Ep. 96 - Yves Engler on Canadian Foreign Policy

Citizen_Shift — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:14:38 +0000

Backpackers who proudly sport the Canadian flag when travelling may want to think twice about the patriotic posturing.

While one of the few pillars of Canadian national identity is our perceived role as both a peacekeeper and peacemaker around the world, it's Canada's darker side local author and activist Yves Engler scrutinizes in The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy, a thick account of the country's foreign policy record - one that seriously challenges the perception of Canada as a force for good in the world.

In fact, Engler's book is a reality check about Canada's role on the world stage and a shockingly dirty laundry list of our colonial ambitions and corporate marauding.

Ep. 98 - Taking Toronto's Streets

Citizen_Shift — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:39:31 +0000

In Spring 2009, the civil war in Sri Lanka pitting the Sri Lankan government against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam was all over the news. Reports of civilian deaths and human rights abuses were widely reported.

Here in Canada, home to the largest Tamil Diaspora, the Tamil community’s response was swift: marches across the country culminated in massive demonstrations in Toronto. While the actions garnered widespread coverage, there was also a backlash against organisers for disrupting traffic on a major artery in Toronto.

Either way though, our attention was grabbed. This week Dan Kellar brings us the voices of people involved in the demonstrations and their reflections on what was accomplished, and how.

Ep. 97 - Canada's Natiional (In)security 2009

Citizen_Shift — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:25:12 +0000

With now eight years to reflect and look back, Canada’s so-called ‘security measures’ adopted within the climate of the post-September 11, 2001, ‘war against terrorism’ have inarguably shown that racialized groups - primarily Muslims, Arabs and those that are perceived to be Muslims or Arabs - have been scapegoated and marginalized in the name of national security.

This podcast recounts some of the abuses that Canada is currently committing in the name of ‘national security’.

Interviews include:

Canadian Arab Federation Director Mohamed Boudjenane
http://www.caf.ca

Ep. 95 - Autonomy in the Point

Citizen_Shift — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:32 +0000

This 12-minute podcast explores the Autonomous Social Center (ASC) project, a dynamic initiative of activists and residents of Point St-Charles, one of Montreal's oldest working-class communities. The Autonomous Social Center was opened on May 29, 2009, and was intended to be a building squatted for a variety of different social and political uses. Organizers of the ASC were planning to install a childcare center, a cinema, an independent media center, and artist studios: all things that this impoverished community is lacking and has been demanding for years.

However, Montreal riot police moved in just 20 hours after the ASC was opened and evicted all the protestors by force.

Ep. 94 - Compassion, Complicity and Conciliation

Citizen_Shift — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:57:28 +0000

Academics and community organisers can often find themselves delving into the same topics, from poverty and racism to public policy and how communities affect change.

But while they may start at the same point, their paths are often divergent, with academics going towards conferences, studies and publishing papers; community organisations towards outreach, front-line support and mobilisation.

Ep. 93 - Colombia beyond the Wall, pt 1

Citizen_Shift — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:28:56 +0000

“Political prisoners rage and spirit can’t be jailed, by their testimonies and the comment of Canadian observers we’ll travel in their world crossing the lines of borders, fears and walls.”

«They shamelessly apply the full weight of the law against us, the freedom fighters. We, the political prisoners, will not back down. We continue to fight alongside the people for fundamental rights and equality before the law. We persevere in breaking down the walls of silence that surround us with our declarations and denunciations»

http://www.pasc.ca/spip.php?article483

90 - Learning Late: Adult Asperger's Syndrome

Citizen_Shift — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:57:21 +0000

This is the story of Justin Sinclair-Smith, a 38-year old Montrealer who, 2 years ago was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder called Asperger's Syndrome. Virtually unheard of until the mid-nineties, Asperger's is a developmental disorder which affects a person's social and cognitive abilities. Because of the lack of awareness about this condition, sufferers are often marginalized in society and considered "weird," despite their often superior intelligence and day-to-day functionality.

In this short radio documentary, Justin talks about being "different" and the personal impact his late diagnosis has had. A family member and Asperger's outreach worker provide additional perspectives on this still relatively unrecognized condition.

89 - Tie Your Shoe With a White Ribbon: walking the line between love and hate

Citizen_Shift — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:29:48 +0000

This podcast was a collaborative youth project to both understand and express some of the issues of gendered violence.

Serve Canada empowers youth to become caring, confident, and contributing members of their community through experience-based learning.

For 6 months they worked with Tuval Dinner from the White Ribbon Campaign to learn about and express themselves on the important issue of violence against women. The project looked at violence, gender, and healthy relationships.

86 - A School of Assassins

Citizen_Shift — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:42:04 +0000

In 2001, the School of the Americas, in Fort Benning, Georgia, changed its name to the much less memorable and much more wordy Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. For 55 years – since its founding in 1946 – the military training institute had kept the same name. But by 2001 they needed a facelift, to improve their image. The reason? Since 1989, every fall, hundreds and sometimes thousands of protesters have gathered outside the compound to protest the training that goes on behind its wall.

88 - Women Behind Bars

Citizen_Shift — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:37:31 +0000

When we received the proposal for this week's podcast, I was struck by the fact that it is an issue we so rarely discuss.

But prison - and the prison system - are as ubiquitous in Canada as any other country, including the United States.

It is odd, then, that we don't discuss their operation and the life within them more.

Even more lacking is discussion of the situation for women behind bars. While prison is meant to be a form of punishment, we've agreed as a society that those incarcerated are still allotted the necessities of life.

In her exploration of the Canadian women's prison system, though, Britt Wray discovers that much is lacking.

87 - Pathways to Your Plate: Part 2

Citizen_Shift — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:22:31 +0000

This is the final episode in a two part series. Lili Eskinazi and Roberto Nieto spent a month in Mexico recently, exploring the links between agricultural workers there and the food we eat every day here in Canada. In this second and final instalment they speak with women who are among the thousands of Mexican labourers who come to Canada as temporary workers every year.

Listen to Pathways to Your Plate part 1. Roberto and Lili have also been writing about their trip over at the Pathways to Your Plate blog.

Ep. 85 - Pathways to your Plate, pt 1: Dignified Rage

Citizen_Shift — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:10:35 +0000

This is the first in a two-part series. Lili Eskinazi and Roberto Nieto spent a month in Mexico recently, exploring the links between agricultural workers there and the food we eat every day here in Canada. In this first part, they visit the Festival of Dignified Rage organised by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, and examine the ties between agricultural work and broader issues of political and economic autonomy.

Roberto and Lili have also been writing about their trip over at the Pathways to Your Plate blog.

Back to Podcast page

Ep. 84 - Beyond the Numbers

Citizen_Shift — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:55:39 +0000

Much has been said and written about the ongoing economic crisis, and for good reason. No sector seems to be protected from the current financial problems. But these problems are usually delivered through numbers: number of layoffs, number of points dropping off the stock market, number of bankruptices, number of foreclosures… Behind all these numbers though are thousands - maybe millions - of people, affected in their daily lives.

83 - Walking the Word of the People

Citizen_Shift — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:27:30 +0000

It can be easy to take communication for granted. We are surrounded by text messages, e-mail, instant messaging… But when was the last time a message you sent was the difference in a life or death situation? It’s easy for us to take for granted the power of the communication tools at our disposal. On a recent trip to Colombia, freelance journalist Dawn Paley was able to see that power first hand, speaking with indigenous Colombian activists who have given birth to a media network meant to strengthen and protect their community.

If you have any thoughts or comments about this episode we’d love to read them on our site, http://citizen.nfb.ca/podcast. If you’d like to get in touch with us for any reason, send an e-mail to citizen@nfb.ca.

No Construction without Consultation

Citizen_Shift — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:47:58 +0000

As the world swirls through the current economic crisis, large scale infrastructure projects - building bridges, roads and public transit - have emerged as a proposed solution to stimulate the economy and create jobs. In his 2009 budget speech, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the Canadian government was "launching one of the largest building projects in Canada's history."

Twelve billion dollars were earmarked for a broad range of infrastructure projects with the goal, as Flaherty put it, "of creating jobs for Canadians now, while providing the infrastructure Canada needs to grow in the years to come."

81 - From Tar Sands to Great Lakes

Citizen_Shift — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:46:11 +0000

The Tar Sands of Northern Alberta never cease to elicit debate. Located near the remote community of Fort McMurray, they are the world’s single largest industrial project – and the only one visible from outer space.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, one of the the project’s strongest supporters, has said the development is akin to the building of the great wall of China – only bigger.

It’s critics, though, are vocal – and growing in number.

The extraction bitumen from the tar sands is a resource intensive and dirty process. Critics point to the high amount of pollution produced during extraction, processing, and the eventual use of the oil.

80 - Taking the Road Back: From Wampum Belt Promises to Highway Blockades

Citizen_Shift — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:47:51 +0000

We often hear of the difficult situation on aboriginal reserves and in their communities. For many of us, our vision is characterised by media reports of poverty, unemployment, leadership disputes and internal divisions.

We also hear their calls for treaty rights and other signed agreements to be respected by the federal government. We see their protests and actions to put pressure on the government after what is seen as years, even decades, of foot-dragging and outright disregard. But these stories are often divorced from a discussion of the impacts that decades and centuries of colonialism has had.

79 - Virtual Bullying, Real Consequences

Citizen_Shift — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:53:45 +0000

Chat rooms, facebook, text messages, instant messaging: our ways of communicating wirelessly and online seem to grow everyday, and no group is more connected than young people.

Ninety-nine percent of all Canadian students have used the internet, 60 percent frequent chat rooms and use instant messaging, and nearly half use the internet for about an hour each day. Most of this communication is harmless and is often helpful in building ties with friends, But like everyday interaction outside the virtual world, some encounters can be harmful or dangerous.

78 - Learning Outside the System: Life as an Unschooler

Citizen_Shift — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:20:57 +0000

For many of us, a regular weekday growing up consisted ofrolling out of bed, grabbing some breakfast and running to catch theschool bus. Staying home from school was impossible unless you were was sick -or faked it well enough to trick your parents.

But what if things were the other way around? What if staying at home to learn was the norm and going to school the anomaly?

In Episode 78, Learning Outside the System: Life as an Unschooler,CitizenShift’s Denise Hastings and Michelle Drew sat down withfilmmaker Astra Taylor to explore growing up unschooled, and debunkingsome of the myths of homeschooling along the way.

76 - Roots of Grass: An (Incomplete) History of Alternative Media in Quebec

Citizen_Shift — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:37:44 +0000

To mark Media Democracy Day 2008, McGill graduate student and CKUT 90.3FM radio host Anna Leventhal presented her talk, Roots of Grass. In it, she reflects on her experience curating the exhibit Quebec Alternative. Working from the collection of McGill Communications professor Mark Raboy, Leventhal built an exhibit examining the burgeoning Quebec independent and community media movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. In her talk, Leventhal delves into how we look back on the media of the past, and how we continue to build upon it today.

Produced by Tim McSorley

77 - Howard Zinn: Taking the Risk for Change

Citizen_Shift — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:58:40 +0000

For episode 77 of the CITIZENShift podcast, we're excited to bring you an interview with Howard Zinn.

Renowned teacher, historian and author, Howard Zinn is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking book A People's History of the United States. He is also a long-time civil rights and peace activist.

Episode 75 - Grandmas Raising Grandchildren

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Maggie Hughes examines at the growing difficulties facing grandparents who have taken on the care of their grandchildren for various reasons - often because their children are unable to continue caring for their own kids for either health, social, or economic reasons.

Many of these grandparents live on a fixed income, and have difficulties making ends meet when they take on the care of their grandchildren, who of kids suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome or worse and are not likely to be adopted or see a decent foster home.

Until recently they could count on funding from the Ontario Temporary Care funding program.

72 - Aggro-Fuels: The Mean, (Un)Green, Monoculture Machine

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:18 +0000

This 15-minute audio documentary captures the voices of the academics, the activists, and the displaced as they reveal the inner workings of the booming biofuel industry and how a cookie-cutter model to energy production has the world robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Featuring interviews with (in order of appearance) Devlin Kuyek, author of “Good Crop, Bad Crop” and Canadian member of GRAIN; Soledad Vogliano, environmental researcher with CEPPAS from Argentina; Marilyn Machado from the Proceso de Comunidades Negras (PCN) in Colombia; and Sharon Labchuk, environmental activist with Earth Action on Prince Edward Island. Produced by Angela Day.

73 - Black Flags, Books, and a Burgeoning Movement

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:18 +0000

The Montreal Anarchist Book Fair, the largest such event anywhere in North America, rolled out the red (and black) carpet this May bringing in hundreds of participants from across the continent to take part in a two-day exchange of books, films, zines, workshops, and stories.

Group discussions centered around some of today’s most timely topics to do with justice, self-determination, and State repression; from current struggles on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to building movements in solidarity with prisoners. The fair itself featured over 100 book vendors, distributors, independent presses and political groups from all over Montreal, Quebec, North America, and abroad.

61 - PART I: Foreign Interference and Haitian Sovereignty

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:15 +0000

In this two-part podcast, Darren interviews Roger Annis of the Canada Haiti Action Network. Roger is one of Canada’s most dedicated and lucid voices on the subject of the ongoing impact of Canadian policy in Haiti.

68 - Taking It Back!

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:15 +0000

A documentary on the special needs provisions in social assistance legislation in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Under these regulations there is money available for special dietary needs, transportation, eye glasses, dental care and child care. Unfortunately, various government bodies create huge barriers for welfare recipients to access 'special needs' monies.

Organizations such as the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP) are now working to dismantle those barriers knowing that all welfare recipients are entitled to more money. People living on social assistance receive grossly inadequate incomes that won’t protect their health or their dignity.

62 - PART II: Foreign Interference and Haitian Sovereignty

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:15 +0000

70 - PART I: Architecture of the Occupation

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:12 +0000

This radio documentary examines the apartheid wall, the depth barriers surrounding Jewish settlements, built as sentinels strategically located on hilltops, always within site of the Palestinian villages below, and other architectural and structural phenomenon that are used as weapons by the occupying force.

Taking a historical analysis of the ongoing project of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, it looks at the colonialist project from 1948 to present day.

Featuring interviews with Palestinians Sayid Ayash and Dr. Ismael Zayid, Dr. Amal Ghazal, professor of modern middle east history at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and journalist Jon Elmer, recently returned from Gaza and the West Bank.

71 - PART II: Architecture of the Occupation

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:12 +0000

66 - PART II: Welcome to Guantanamo North...

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:57 +0000

On January 29th, 2008, Mohamed Harkat was re-arrested for allegedly violating his bail conditions by the Canada Border Services Agency and Ottawa police. Harkat, an Algerian refugee, had been released on bail with a long list of draconian conditions after being arrested under a 'security certificate'. These controversial certificates allow authorities to hold permanent residents and refugees as suspects indefinitely, without trial, and neither they nor their council are permitted to know or challenge any of the evidence that is used to detain them. Harkat, along with four other Muslim men dubbed the "Secret Trial Five" were detained in a penitentiary in Kingston, Ontario known to human rights groups as Guantanamo North.